Nov. 26, 2013. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning on Tuesday at about 4:30 p.m. alerting residents of Watauga County and surrounding areas that as the rain exits, a cold front will move in and “bring a round of snow” to the High Country through Wednesday afternoon.

“Blustery northwest winds will cause snow to drift and may also uproot trees due to the recent rainfall,” the warning states.

Accumulation of three to six inches is expected late tonight and tomorrow with higher amounts on western facing slopes and areas collecting snowdrift. Winds gusts of 60 mph may occur with northwest winds averaging 25 to 35 mph. The temperatures will remain in the mid to upper 20s.

As always, check out RaysWeather.com, too, for local, in-depth forecasts of Western North Carolina.

Here is seven-day forecast from NWS as of Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Tonight: Widespread fog this evening. Rain this evening…then rain…sleet and freezing rain after midnight. Little or no sleet accumulation. Very windy with lows in the upper 20s. South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 70 mph…becoming northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Wednesday: Snow. Total snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Very windy and much cooler with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent. Wind chill values as low as 1 above.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the evening…then partly cloudy with a chance of flurries after midnight. Additional snow accumulation up to 1 inch possible. Very windy and colder with lows around 17. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph…diminishing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph after midnight. Chance of snow 50 percent. Wind chill values as low as zero.

Thanksgiving Day: Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph…becoming west around 10 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as zero in the morning.